On 29 November 2024, a government policy announcement was released clarifying the approach to Simpler Recycling regulations in England, subject to ‘spending review outcomes’.
Simpler Recycling aims to make household and business waste collections easier and more consistent, helping to boost recycling rates in England, which have remained largely unchanged for the past decade.
In short, a common set of materials – including metal, glass and plastic - will be collected for recycling alongside food waste and residual waste from all premises, as will garden waste for domestic properties.
What are the latest changes?
The recent government announcement details how local authorities and private waste managers will be able to co-collect these materials, decreasing the need for multiple receptacles. The ‘default requirement’ will be separate collection for residual waste, food waste (mixed with garden waste as appropriate), paper and card, and all other dry recyclables - requiring four separate collection containers.
Waste collectors may collect paper and card with other dry recyclables if they produce a written assessment justifying their preference, and guidance has been released to help assess best practice. The announcement also reaffirms the two-year exemption for micro-firms in applying the new rules, the secondary legislation for which will be laid in parliament by the end of the year.
By 31 March 2025, businesses and other relevant non-domestic premises, which include schools and hospitals, will have to apply these regulations. Local authorities collecting from domestic premises will have to comply a year later, and the collection of flexible plastics from both businesses and households will be implemented on 31 March 2027.
